First Answers

Well, I posed these questions below, so it's only fair I pose some possible answers too. These are my first impressions:

1. Is language death a separate phenomenon from language change?

In terms of linguistic effect, I suspect not

2. Are there any favorable outcomes of language death?

I suspect, yes

3. How do current rates of language death compare with historical rates?

Nearly impossible to tell

4. What is the role of linguists wrt language death?

One might ask: what is the role of mechanics wrt global warming?

UPDATE: post with original questions here. Additional response to David Crystal here.